Sounding the alarm on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister died recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."